Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: Which team reigns supreme?

breakdown and ranking here</a>. For those teams that have other alternates, including the “Classic” Edition for the league’s three teams also celebrating an anniversary (New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors), they will not be included them here. Shout out to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"http://lockervision.nba.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Locker Vision</a> for providing visuals of all jerseys this season, as well as the schedule of when each will be worn.</p> <p>Our criteria for evaluating the jerseys take a lot into account. How clean is the look? Is it confusing? How well do the colors work together? How does it represent the city and the team? What history is involved in that look? Do I like it? All of these factors and more went into the ranking.</p> <p>Finally, I thought it would be helpful to bring in an outside perspective. Evaluating jerseys for diehard fans is one thing, but what do casual or “non-fans” think? To help with this, I pulled in the opinion of my wife, who doesn’t watch basketball. What did she think of the jerseys at first glance?</p> <p>Without further ado, let’s jump in with our 30th ranked team, which made a design choice for all three jerseys that simply doesn’t look good.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 30 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438029" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438029 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349789919.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349789919.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349789919-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on in a break run play against the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 30. Toronto Raptors</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/toronto-raptors/">Toronto Raptors</a> are the only NBA team to play in Canada and have tried to lean into an identity as the team, not just for the city of Toronto, but for the entire country. That energy certainly seemed to be present when the Raptors won the 2019 title, and their slogan “We the North” is a great encapsulation of that.</p> <p>However, it does not translate in the abstract visual the way the designers of their jerseys had hoped it would. On both the standard red and white jerseys, the team name is arrayed inside of an arrow pointing “north” to represent that the Raptors play in Canada.</p> <p>This does not come across without explanation and even when it is explained it doesn’t work. It looks more like a mountain, but that doesn’t make sense for Toronto. Add in the fact that multiple NBA teams play home games north of Toronto, and it works even less often.</p> <p>It also just looks bad. It makes the team name hard to read, the band of color doesn’t work for me, and it’s only slightly redeemed by the slash of identical color on the shorts. The Statement version drops the band of color, which helps, but not enough. For a team with some great logo options, they relegate them to the shorts in every look, too. Toronto needs to go back to the drawing board.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> The black ‘V says “Look at me, I’m a basketball player.”</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 29 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_422459" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-422459 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1298709730.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298709730.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1298709730-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 29. Oklahoma City Thunder</h2> <p>I struggled with where to rank the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/oklahoma-city-thunder/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, but somehow every time I compared them to another team they lost the fight and slid down the rankings. They slid all the way until they landed at 29th. Their primary uniforms are bland, solid blue or white, and have some striping down the sides that is merely fine. The font is shaky.</p> <p>They went out on a limb for their Statement jersey, one that they wear with a lot of regularity. The all-orange look is too much and looks even worse with the garish yellow and red patch in the top right. Get a new sponsor, or ditch the all-orange.</p> <p>The blue and orange combo has a lot of potential, but the franchise just can’t seem to put things together. They aren’t helped by their abstract team name – how do you represent thunder on a jersey?</p> <p>They have a bottom-five logo, which means they can’t feature it either. Plus, they are new enough that they don’t have longstanding history to draw on. Come on OKC, come up with something good.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I guess this team is the “ok” team sponsored by Fanta.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 28 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438034" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438034 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1352186122.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352186122.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352186122-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Chimezie Metu #7 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after a play in the second half against the Phoenix Suns (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 28. Sacramento Kings</h2> <p>I love purple jerseys. I think it’s a bold color that pops on the court, speaks to royalty, and looks great as a primary or a supporting color. That’s why I am mystified that the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/sacramento-kings/">Sacramento Kings</a> (royalty right there in the name!) have put together a collection of jerseys that look so mediocre.</p> <p>The all-purple above brings in gray instead of sticking to white. Then, instead of “Kings,” they have an abbreviated form of their name (“SAC”) in all caps. I guess that’s what people in northern California call Sacramento, but it sounds weird and it doesn’t look all that great. Then they go back to a white number, and the contrast doesn’t work for me.</p> <p>The white look with purple numbers is better, but I wish it was a more balanced look of purple and white instead of 95 percent white. They also work gray in on the sides and bottom of the shorts. This will be a theme throughout these rankings, but lose the gray! Unless you’re the Spurs or the Nets, I don’t want to see gray. It’s bland, it’s a crutch, and it needs to go.</p> <p>The black Statement Edition jerseys are sharp until you realize they don’t even include the purple. Just black and… wait for it ….gray! The City Edition has a good mix of black, purple, and white, a cool font, and offset numbers. It’s the best of the bunch. I think a redesign by the Kings could see some really awesome looks come out, but the current collection just doesn’t have that.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I’m sorry, they’re Kings and they decided to go by “Sac”? That’s a choice.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 27 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438035" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438035 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1352176779.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352176779.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352176779-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 27. Minnesota Timberwolves</h2> <p>We have to start with the neon green elephant in the room. WHY DO THEY HAVE NEON GREEN JERSEYS??? The official description says that it represents the “Minnesota environment” and is “Aurora Green” to speak to the Northern Lights. There are many colors represented in the northern lights, and nearly all of them look better than this shade of green.</p> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/minnesota-timberwolves/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> have historically leaned into the combination of forests and lakes, which make sense given that Minnesota is covered by forests and lakes. Their City Edition jersey this year has a great callback to those jerseys, which Kevin Garnett made some of the coolest out there. They have completely abandoned anything to do with wolves or trees, instead trying to lean into blue.</p> <p>Let’s move past the colors. Their standard jerseys are all straight, horizontal lines. There is no life, no pizzaz, no creativity. Give me a ruler and a box of markers and I could design these uniforms.</p> <p>The Wolves then liked the idea so much they used the same design for all three primary uniforms. Seriously, all they did was use the bucket on Paint to fill in different colors.</p> <p>I do like how the word “Minnesota” looks, and they get some bonus points for a jersey patch that’s isn’t ostentatious. I think I could easily rank the Wolves in the Top 10 if they came up with jerseys that incorporate the themes of “Timber” and “Wolves” (you know, the words in their name), and punted the neon green up to Alaska where you can actually see the Northern Lights more than a couple of days of the year.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Why did they pick that shade of green? Is it commonly found in their wildlife? [Me: It represents the northern lights.] Do they realize there is more than one shade in the northern lights? I do not think northern lights when I see that.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 26 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437990" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-437990 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1352587427.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1352587427.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1352587427-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 26. Memphis Grizzlies</h2> <p>It pains me to see the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/memphis-grizzlies/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> this far down the list. They have some of the best looks in modern NBA history, from back in the day with the ultra-bold font, to some sublime alternate looks, to…  I’m going to stop there. Literally, every alternate jersey this team has trotted out over the last decade looks great.</p> <p>Their main duds? Not so much. They’re fine, and I like the color scheme, but they’re very bland. For a team with so much colorful and creative imagery to choose from throughout their franchise’s history, they have a bunch of boring design choices right now.</p> <p>The bear logo has been relegated to the side of the shorts (see above) and it doesn’t look great out of sight. If you’re going to use it, make it so we can see it.</p> <p>The gold and light blue striping is nice, as is the double-blue striping on the white home jersey, but it isn’t enough to make the look pop. Use more gold, and make it prominent!</p> <p>Give my eye something to look at besides the name and number. I want to love the Memphis jerseys, especially with a player as exciting as Ja Morant wearing them, but I’m left with a look that’s… fine. Simply fine.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Ok. It’s not obnoxious colors. You look at it and see their team name and know who it is. There are two of my favorite colors.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 25 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438036" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438036 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2221,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350094766.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2221" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350094766.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350094766-768x533.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 25. Dallas Mavericks</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/dallas-mavericks/">Dallas Mavericks</a> have trotted out some truly interesting jersey designs over their history, including a long stretch with a lot of green and some funky fonts. Their best look was the sharp blue jerseys that I always picture Dirk Nowitzki in. Their primary uniforms during the 2000s were clean, bold, and great to look at.</p> <p>They have retained the basic look of the white jersey, which is fine, but not magical. It’s clean, which is the best way to manage the whites if you have a good color scheme. The arm banding is classic Dallas. It invokes some thought of history, and it’s probably a good thing that there’s no green to be found. The Mavs have had this basic white jersey for decades.</p> <p>Otherwise, they have two shades of blue jerseys, and neither is doing much for me. Between the horse, the blue basketball, and stars, there is a wealth of iconography to be involved that the Mavs don’t engage anywhere. Instead, they have hidden their logo away at the bottom and side of the shorts, and otherwise, it’s nowhere to be found.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> That white just looks like a nightmare to clean. I guess it’s not as big of a deal in basketball, and they probably have someone to do their laundry. But every time I see a white football jersey I just think about the poor person trying to get those grass stains out.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 24 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438037" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438037 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_857,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350670798.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="857" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350670798.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350670798-768x411.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Chris Duarte #3 of the Indiana Pacers against the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 24. Indiana Pacers</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacers</a> deserve credit for doing something different. They are one of a few teams featuring the entire team name on the front of their jerseys, and they have done so by encircling the players’ numbers with the name. This makes a sort of poker-chip looking design.</p> <p>It’s creative, even if the team’s attempt at explaining is odd. Their explanation is that “we use the whole name because we’re representing all of Indiana,” instead of just saying, “we wanted to do something different.” The downside is that the circle… doesn’t look good. It’s hard to read in motion, the font has to be fairly small to fit, and it dominates the jersey with letters.</p> <p>The stripes of farmland on the side are unique, and it works for both the blue and the white. The gold Statement edition is also a pretty good look, with the slashes of color, it creates a nice overall look with colors that blend well together. These aren’t awful. The Pacers went out on a limb. However, it’s just not a sturdy limb, and they should get off of it soon.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Do they run in circles? Because that’s what their logo says.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 23 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438038" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438038 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350947105.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350947105.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350947105-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 23. Denver Nuggets</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/denver-nuggets/">Denver Nuggets</a> used to rock the jersey world. They were entirely unafraid to rep for the Rocky Mountains with whatever color scheme they landed on that year. It may not have been a suave look, but it was fun, it was bold, and it was iconic.</p> <p>Occasionally the Nuggets roll out alternate jerseys that remind us of those fun times. They have to remind us because using the Nuggets’ current jerseys as a reference would mean forgetting all about exciting jersey looks.</p> <p>Their jerseys now are primarily dominated by a single color, whether that is white, navy, or bright blue. They’ve even completely punted on the light blue of a crisp mountain day!</p> <p>In essence, the Nuggets have punted on their historic looks, punted on fun color combinations, essentially just punted on anything remotely interesting. The gold and blue look good together (above), but it’s nothing special.</p> <p>Their cobalt blue uniform says “Mile High City” instead of Denver or Nuggets, which I like. Yet why are there no mountains? Or even the team’s secondary logo, the pickaxes? The jerseys don’t look bad, but the contrast to their exciting history leaves me disappointed.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I like the contrast, the blue and the gold. [I then showed her the 80s look]. Well, that’s a choice. It looks like the 80s! I guess that means it will come back in style soon.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 22 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437480" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-437480 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1348795265.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1348795265.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1348795265-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic celebrates after scoring a basket against the New York Knicks (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 22. Orlando Magic</h2> <p>Look at the jerseys in the above picture. What is going on? I get that the black blocks are supposed to invoke pinstripes from classic <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rv8AAOSw-qNewjCx/s-l300.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orlando looks of the past</a>, but….why not just use pinstripes?</p> <p>The lines under the arms look especially dumb. The lines on the shorts aren’t as bad, and the side view (Jalen Suggs above) actually pops nicely with that bold star. The jersey itself is rough, though.</p> <p>Their white jersey has pinstripes, which is nice, and they chose a light silver so the pattern is subtle but presumably catches arena lights nicely when you’re in person. I like that choice, and “Magic” is a word that always looks sharp on the front of a jersey.</p> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/orlando-magic/">Orlando Magic</a> have a black pinstriped look, the “Icon” version, which is fine. It looks clean and the pinstripes, now in blue, are again subtle, which is best for pinstripes unless you’re the New York Yankees.</p> <p>The reason the Magic are as high as 22 is that they don’t have any orange uniforms in their primary rotation. If <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8hbRw352M18Ldzo2tiYnZA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNi43OTExMzE4NTUzMDkyMw--/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-03/11ba1f80-89d2-11eb-9edf-f9174e478600" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this was still around</a> they might be as low as 30th.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Who thinks “you know what, we should put a star on the side buttocks? That’s where we want our fans to look.” Pinstripes are for referees. Are they trying to communicate they know more than the refs?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 21 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438039" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438039 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1352338263.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352338263.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352338263-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on against the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 21. Atlanta Hawks</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/atlanta-hawks/">Atlanta Hawks</a> have some great colors to work with. They have a couple of shades of yellow around this beautiful “torch red” and those combinations just work. It’s hard to come up with a truly terrible jersey with those colors, although they certainly <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/350/726/third_jersey_111504_600_original.jpg?1282236561%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">tried their best in years past</a>.</p> <p>Their home white Association jersey is clean and sharp, with the words and numbers in red with that yellow outline. The “Hawks” logo on the waistband is a nice touch. Similarly, their red Icon jersey looks good, not great, and the yellow look really good striping down the side or ringing the neckline. The “Hawks” in yellow on the black jersey looks good.</p> <p>There isn’t anything special, though. The current look doesn’t really tie into franchise history; Dominique <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_736,h_485,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsoaringdownsouth.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F141251972-850x560.jpeg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was dunking</a> and Dikembe <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://www.nba.com/hawks/sites/hawks/files/styles/mobile__700x500_/public/gettyimages-461239147.jpg?itok=A4Bi2EZg%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">was wagging</a> in very different looks. Whether it’s the Pacman logo or the classic Hawk looks, they could do something to spice up their primary duds.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> It’s fine. It looks like a high school basketball jersey. I hope they didn’t pay much for that design, because I could have done it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 20 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_423535" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-423535 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1291864488.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1291864488.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1291864488-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Christian Wood #35 of the Houston Rockets puts up a shot during the second quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 20. Houston Rockets</h2> <p>There are a few different teams for which I will look at their jerseys and… just shrug my shoulders. There’s not much to say one way or the other. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/houston-rockets/">Houston Rockets</a> currently fall into that category. They took three colors and simply rotated them around for their three jerseys – white with red trim, red with black trim, black with red trim. That’s it.</p> <p>The font is strong, bold, and easy to read, although it could use an outline with the white letters on red. The standard home white Association jersey, pictured above, has a sense of being a classic look, even if it’s a little different than looks worn in the past. The red striping down the side is supposed to be indicative of a “rocket launch,” but that’s just marketing mumbo jumbo; over half the teams have similar.</p> <p>On the black jerseys, there is a gray checker design that supposedly also alludes to a similar design on rockets, although I’m not sure how the standard NBA fan is supposed to know that. With a whole host of rocket-related imagery out there, why not use something actually recognizable to fans? Not <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"http://i.imgur.com/NFLx5.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this</a>, but something that falls between unrecognizable and garish.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> They must have the same designer as the Hawks. The white jerseys all look super plain to me.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 19 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438040" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-438040" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350132551.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350132551.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350132551-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Paul George, LA Clippers. Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 19. LA Clippers</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/la-clippers/">LA Clippers</a> are in a difficult spot when it comes to marketing and branding. First, they’re the little brother in their own city, clearly second-fiddle to the Lakers. Secondly, their team name of the “Clippers” has no connection to LA, but rather their former city of San Diego.</p> <p>Add on top of that the fact most NBA fans think of shaving implements instead of ships when they hear the word clippers, you are starting from a big hole. That all being said, the Clippers have done a decent job of digging themselves out.</p> <p>Their two primary uniforms are a delightful pairing of blue and white, with just a hint of red accents. On either side of the shorts are asymmetrical lines of color, inspired by “maritime navigational lights.” This is another obscure homage, but I can at least track the connection.</p> <p>I also want to applaud the Clippers for using a unique logo on the center of their Statement jersey. Their “LAC” graphic is abstract enough to need a second look to sort it out, which to me is a positive. Too many teams are trying to get away from an actual logo on their jerseys in lieu of words, and it’s cool that the Clippers found a way to do both.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> This is probably a smart logo, but looking at it makes me feel stupid because I don’t know what’s going on. Once you tell me it’s the LA Clippers it makes sense, but until then I feel dumb.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 18 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436550" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-436550" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1312730208.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1312730208.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1312730208-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 18. Cleveland Cavaliers</h2> <p>We’ll start with the good: the Cavs’ “C” logo is super sharp, from the jagged edges to the depth and coloring. It looks great on the court and it looks great on their black Statement jerseys (above). I also like that the Goodyear and Jumpman logos are gold and play off the coloring so well.</p> <p>What I don’t like is that the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/cleveland-cavaliers/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> drop the cool, sharp C for standard, boring font on their other jerseys. The “C” can start the words Cavaliers, Cavs, or Cleveland; why not use it more? <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://media.wkyc.com/assets/WKYC/images/b6a097d8-5ae5-4c54-9504-78b661e56fa4/b6a097d8-5ae5-4c54-9504-78b661e56fa4_750x422.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This font is as boring as it gets</a>; spice it up a bit.</p> <p>The color scheme works for me, although so does the blue; they should bring that back into the fold somehow. Some of LeBron’s best looks during his first stint <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/985/082/8a4aac0d8554959a1570e9fd597302fe_crop_north.jpg?1405882565&amp;w=3072&amp;h=2048%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">were in the blue</a>. (Side note: see what they did with the “C” there?). Nothing screams special, but all the jerseys work.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> This is obviously the best jersey, on the best team, and we had the best player. [Full disclosure: my wife is from Ohio and LeBron James was/is her favorite player].</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 17 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437981" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437981" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351195763.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351195763.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351195763-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 17. New Orleans Pelicans</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/new-orleans-pelicans/">New Orleans Pelicans</a> have to walk a fine line when designing their jerseys. To take inspiration from their mascot, the pelican, is dumb. To take inspiration from the city of New Orleans, however, is fun, exciting, and… dangerous. Because the point of mardi gras is to be garish, and that can mean a poor design choice for a jersey worn on national television.</p> <p>The Pelicans have walked that line before with alternate jerseys, from a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/ryan-anderson-and-anthony-davis-of-the-new-orleans-pelicans-unveil-picture-id488922024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more subtle nod</a> to a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/hammondstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/7d/37d9a859-8234-5107-8e15-67a514a6e4ea/6021c2721cada.image.jpg?resize=400%2C400%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">more bold look</a>. Currently, they have stepped away to lean into a safer palette of colors, which is somewhat disappointing and also imminently reasonable.</p> <p>Thankfully, they do lean into their red jersey quite often, which pops visually and looks great with the blue and gold side panels. The word “Pelicans” also looks great in that font, which is weird to say about a word like “Pelicans.”</p> <p>The color combo of blue, gold, and red really work well together in any combination, and the Pelicans logo is probably best left to the bottom and side of the shorts. The Pels should absolutely return to the mardi gras well with alternate jerseys moving forward, but they have a good thing going with their standard rotation of uniforms.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> What’s going on with the sides? It’s an arrow to the armpit. I guess if you live in New Orleans you are going to sweat a lot and want something to cover it up there.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 16 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437980" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437980" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350889452.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350889452.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350889452-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Washington Wizards. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 16. Washington Wizards</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/washington-wizards/">Washington Wizards</a> made a design choice to pursue the look and colors of our nation’s capital rather than anything to do with their team name. What would things have looked like if they leaned into the magical iconography? How does one represent Merlin, and Gandalf, and Harry Potter on a jersey? It’s not like the Orlando Magic are doing anything in that realm either.</p> <p>Instead, though, the Wizards delved into red, white, and blue. There is a fine line even here because the Philadelphia 76ers are very tied into that color scheme and patriotic imagery as well, but the Wizards have found a solid niche.</p> <p>Their white and red primary jerseys are reminiscent of the stripes on the flag without being obvious or distasteful. They don’t wow you, but they’re solid, and the secondary “DC” logo on the shorts is great.</p> <p>The Statement jersey is where this look really shines, as instead of “Washington” or “Wizards” they put “The District” with lowercase lettering to match their logo. It absolutely works for me, down to the red dot on top of the ‘i’ in “district.” I’m not sure if residents even call it “The District,” but I want them to because I think this jersey really works.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> He looks like he should be running a marathon. The actual jersey looks like a marathon smock.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 15 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437979" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437979" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1352790793.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352790793.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352790793-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets. Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 15. Brooklyn Nets</h2> <p>Most teams get a variety of colors to work with when making their jersey designs, often with a variety of shades and nuanced hues to dabble in. That is not so for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/brooklyn-nets/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, who take most team’s support colors and claim them for their own. It’s black and white for the Nets and nothing else.</p> <p>It works for them, too. Both their white and black looks are sleek and simple, with the Nets logo on the waistband of the shorts. The new “webull” jersey patch is a fun complement to the Nike swoosh, and otherwise, there is nothing fancy anywhere on the jerseys themselves.</p> <p>Most teams make up some hullabaloo about the sides of their jerseys, but for the Nets they use a herringbone pattern that is instantly recognizable as the court design for any fans who have attended a game in person, or even watched a home game on television. It’s all sleek, simple, and honestly somewhat classy. There are no bold choices here, but maybe there don’t need to be.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Classic. It just looks like a classic jersey. Why mess with a good thing?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 14 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437978" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437978" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1352601402.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352601402.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1352601402-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 14. Detroit Pistons</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/brooklyn-nets/">Detroit Pistons</a> rose to NBA fame in the late 1980s with the “Bad Boys” team that eventually knocked off every relevant franchise of the decade en route to back-to-back titles. They did so sporting <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/04/24/PDTF/db492885-7d6d-4292-8cbd-a090be45f16e-TNS_SPORTS-BKN-PISTONS-1.jpg?crop=994,1325,x291,y107&amp;quality=50&amp;width=640%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">iconic blue and red jerseys</a>, and the Pistons of today have rightly decided not to reinvent the wheel.</p> <p>Not every team can draw from a well-known era of team history as Detroit can, but the Pistons take full advantage. They keep the colors bold, the font large, and just try to look <em>good</em> when they step onto the court. I’m partial to the blue with red lettering, but the white with red lettering looks almost as good.</p> <p>Why aren’t the Pistons higher? Partly because the teams ahead of them have strong offerings too, but mostly because their Statement jersey is terrible. It’s all-gray, which is a bland place to start, but then the blue lettering is ringed in red, which against the gray background makes the letters and numbers look purple. It’s lazy, and the team’s attempt to call the gray “chrome” falls completely flat to me.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Also a classic jersey. It looks like the pants are supposed to go with the top, which you can’t say for all of these teams.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 13 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437977" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437977" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351193785.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351193785.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351193785-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 13. Phoenix Suns</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/phoenix-suns/">Phoenix Suns</a> are set up for success simply because of the color combinations available to them. Orange and purple as a combo just <em>works,</em> and it affords the Suns a lot of options to create great-looking uniforms, which they do to (mostly) great success.</p> <p>The font they use in the above white Association jerseys really pops, and the orange and purple around the neckline and down the sides looks great. The purple jerseys are more of the same; “Phoenix” doesn’t look as good as “Suns,” but since the other local teams all claim “Arizona” in their names it makes sense for the Suns to emphasize the city connection.</p> <p>Where the Suns go slightly off-course is with their Statement jersey. It’s an <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://www.nydailynews.com/resizer/sezgxzcPWfIxxbKQGJoUzuSPaBA=/1200x0/top/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/UOFLWRVJJZBAJFDLIFBTBFK3H4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all-orange look</a> with the team’s logo on the front, a flaming ball that evokes thoughts of… wait for it …the sun.</p> <p>They are attempting everything I want them to attempt, working in the logo more prominently, tipping the cap to historical jerseys, etc. I just don’t like how it all comes together, especially the poor contrast of yellow flames around light orange basketball and against a darker orange background.</p> <p>Finally, we can’t leave without discussing one of the greatest City Edition jerseys out there, “<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/960x0/https%3A%2F%2Fspecials-images.forbesimg.com%2Fimageserve%2F5fad68f31d1f1e5cc90f80fd%2FDeandre-Ayton-is-wearing-the-new-Phoenix-Suns-City-Edition--The-Valley--jersey%2F960x0.jpg%3FcropX1%3D0%26cropX2%3D3840%26cropY1%3D650%26cropY2%3D3530" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Valley</a>” jerseys. The colors, the pixels, the black, the font – all of it works beautifully. If this were the team’s Statement jersey and part of this evaluation, the Suns would have been borderline top-five on this list.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I’m running out of things to say. It looks fine. The orange jersey looks like they’re rooting for carrots – that’s a lot of orange. [I showed her The Valley jerseys]. The Valley? Of what? It’s pretty dark – is it the Valley of the Shadow of Death? I’m from Ohio, I don’t know about geography in wherever the Suns play.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 12 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437976" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437976" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351998109.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351998109.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351998109-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets. Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 12. Charlotte Hornets</h2> <p>We are getting to the point in the rankings where I like the jerseys for every team. I will have critiques as they come up, but for the most part, I think what these teams are doing with their jerseys is solid.</p> <p>That includes the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/charlotte-hornets/">Charlotte Hornets</a>, who are similar to the Suns in that they have some great colors to work with and do the most with them. The difference is that their Statement jersey (seen above) looks <em>absolutely</em> gorgeous.</p> <p>The teal looks beautiful against the purple, and props to LaMelo Ball in that photo for adding the teal arm sleeve. The font is bold and chunky, which works with the abbreviated name, an abbreviation that works great for anyone who has ever flown into or out of the Charlotte airport (CHA being its designation).</p> <p>It’s also great that the Jumpman logo goes on all the Hornets’ jerseys since Michael Jordan owns the team. The all-teal jerseys look good too, although why the pinstripes don’t continue onto the shorts is a bit peculiar. The secondary Hornets logo on the shorts even looks good. I wish there was a honeycomb pattern somewhere, but that’s a small quibble.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Cha? Going back to ChaCha when you texted in your questions?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 11 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437975" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437975" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350952297.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350952297.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350952297-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 11. Milwaukee Bucks</h2> <p>Any team that wins the title in a certain jersey gets a little bump because of its association with success, so that doesn’t affect the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/milwaukee-bucks/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>‘ ranking much. They earned a strong ranking overall because all of their looks are solid, from the colors to the layout.</p> <p>The primary pair of green and white jerseys are strong. The green (above) is crisp, and the “Cream City Rainbow” on the side panels features prominently on their primary court as well. You can’t see it above, but the shorts have the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2021/02/giannis-walks-huddle-1568x882.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bucks’ logo on either leg</a> in a cool slashing splash of cream.</p> <p>In years past, the Bucks have had some <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRoFCAF2uOOWIyuTRttnLCVDl7aucVL5KAu2Q&amp;usqp=CAU%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">great Statement looks</a>, and the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/w_1003+q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/https://itsgame7.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/giannis-780x470.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">current one is no exception</a>. I love using the head of the “Buck” prominently, and the slash of colors behind it looks cool rather than confusing. “Fear the Deer” is subtly placed on the waistband, too. The Bucks’ all-blue looks of recent years have been a mistake, but the blue accents in the Statement jersey are tasteful.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I have no complaints. It looks nice. I think cream next to an armpit is a mistake.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 10 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437974" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437974" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236510448.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236510448.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236510448-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Royce O’Neale, Utah Jazz. Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 10. Utah Jazz</h2> <p>Everything with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/utah-jazz/">Utah Jazz</a> and their jerseys starts and ends with their team name and logo. It obviously makes no sense for the team to be called the “Jazz” when they play home games in Salt Lake City, Utah.</p> <p>If we were being logical, they would change their name to something related to Utah’s gorgeous national parks and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hLXj5RQjb7P5ZGLPD6QArQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD02NzU-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2021-02/2ed74010-7736-11eb-a5ef-4bab96c758e9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lean into a color palette of desert sunset colors</a>.</p> <p>The problem is that the Jazz have one of the best names in the league, and they may have the best logo in the league. The idea of basketball as “Jazz” – both the idea of composing music on the court and of Jazz as this improvisational love song that perfectly matches what a team does on the court – is perfect, and the Jazz can’t possibly give that up. The music note “J” is so perfect it could make you tear up just looking at it.</p> <p>The navy Jazz Icon jersey (above) has a gorgeous color combination and features the J-Note prominently. (Side note: ditch the green, Jazz marketing team). The white is equally sharp, including the ball featured in the musical note logo on the waistband of the shorts. The all-gold Statement jersey is fine, but the J-Note looks better when it’s spelling out the word “Jazz” on the jersey.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> This is the best one so far. It looks like a music note, but it’s part of the name. You can see the name clearly, the colors contrast nicely, and I love their logo. But where are the Jazz from? [Utah]. Well, that makes no sense. Who thinks of Jazz in Utah?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 9 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437972" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437972" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351528998.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351528998.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351528998-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 9. Portland Trail Blazers</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/portland-trail-blazers/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> belong either in the top five or down in the 20s, I couldn’t decide which. Somehow, they landed at No. 9, and I have no clue how that happened. First, Portland has one of the best logos in the sport – the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U0fnr8iX0U3bvxU_sOQKUl5ogpY=/1400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22002882/New_Court.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pinwheel</a> that evokes movement and a basketball spinning without actually having anything to do with Trail Blazing. They couldn’t really do a machete, you know?</p> <p>Second, Portland has a great city nickname, “Rip City,” which is distinct and cool. That’s the exact sort of thing you want to put on your chest when repping your city.</p> <p>The problem, of course, is that Portland tries too hard to keep both the logo and the city nickname in discrete, non-prominent places. Instead, their jerseys, all three, are the same exact design – one primary color between white, black, and red, with the other two colors slashed across the abdomen like a sash.</p> <p>It looks cool. The colors work together. The tiny touches (i.e. the logo and nickname) are certainly positives. I just can’t help but feel there could be a little more here. Even so, this is a solid look so it lands at number nine.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> This looks like an artist was commissioned to do a redo of the American flag, but they forgot what they were doing halfway through.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 8 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437630" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437630" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1350902232.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1350902232.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1350902232-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 8. San Antonio Spurs</h2> <p>Confession: I wanted to put the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/san-antonio-spurs/">San Antonio Spurs</a> at number one on this list purely due to the spur they use as the ‘U’ in Spurs. I love everything about it. Replacing a letter with the team’s logo is excellent, it’s iconic and decidedly theirs.</p> <p>The fact that it goes so perfectly with a city in Texas that is known for the Alamo and its rodeo is the marriage of location and team name that most other teams simply ignore or do poorly (ranking the team names should be our next project!).</p> <p>Unfortunately, the Spurs don’t have much pizzazz to otherwise elevate their jerseys higher than number eight. Their black-and-white look is fine but unexciting. Their Statement jersey does something similar to the Utah Jazz with their logo by itself on a single-color jersey, but the gray works better for the Spurs than the all-yellow did for the Jazz.</p> <p>The Spurs also get a bump from the history of winning five titles in essentially these same jerseys. They don’t get credit from <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2020/11/team1-e1605284214384.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">their great Fiesta jerseys</a>, but having an occasional pop of color during the year is a good contrast to their standard black-and-white look.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> That’s a Spur? Like what goes on a boot? I like the concept, but in reality, it looks weird. I’ve never seen an entire spur off the boot, just the sharp part at the end, so it seems wrong to look at.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 7 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437470" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437470" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2021%2F11%2F1349414847.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/11/1349414847.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2021/11/1349414847-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 7. Philadelphia 76ers</h2> <p>If you are going to like the jerseys for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/philadelphia-76ers/">Philadelphia 76ers</a>, you have to like red, white, and blue, and then you have to like the shortened “Phila” version of Philadelphia because they have done that for all three versions of their standard uniform. If that’s the case, then you’re golden. Me? I like both of those things, which places “Phila” at number seven.</p> <p>The red Statement Edition seen above is the best. The sea of red with the thick blue stripes makes all of the white pop. The gorgeous cursive-like script, the numbers, the secondary logo on the shorts, and especially the stars down the side.</p> <p>There are 13 total stars, six on one side and seven on the other – a nod to the 13 colonies and, more specifically, to the Bicentennial jerseys worn by Julius Erving and the 76ers back in 1976.</p> <p>The jerseys look good in blue and white, especially with the primary logo popping on the shorts. All three jerseys also have the words “Brotherly Love” on the waistband, which is a nice touch.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I like that it has a unified look, but I don’t like the abbreviation of the word Philadelphia. As a general rule, I don’t like abbreviations, but Philadelphia is kind of long so I understand. But I don’t have to like it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 6 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437864" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437864" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351955622.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351955622.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351955622-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 6. Boston Celtics</h2> <p>If you’re looking for a historical NBA look, you have landed in the right place. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/boston-celtics/">Boston Celtics</a> have a look fairly similar to what they had back in the 1950s and 60s when Bill Russell led the franchise to 11 titles in 13 seasons. Check out <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/NBA_Global_CMS_image_storage/40/d7/larry-bird-bill-russell-paul-pierce-082119-ftr-nba-getty_1pcixrl2wmuj91ulopsfjtilvt.jpeg?t=-1198541188&amp;quality=100%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">this cross-section of Boston greats</a> – you don’t reinvent the wheel.</p> <p>The green is decidedly theirs, and it looks great paired with black or white, Boston’s three color combinations. On both the main green and white versions, they have stripes down the shorts that bracket them on the bottom; it’s the same idea as around the arms above. It’s a nice touch.</p> <p>The Celtics also deserve credit for not having any duds in the rotation, which couldn’t be said in every season. Last year, their most-worn jersey was <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://boston.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3859903/2020/11/jaylen-banner.jpg?w=1024%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">this one,</a> a white jersey modeled after the banners hanging in the rafters. It just doesn’t work, and it works less if you’ve never been to a game and seen the banners before. More props for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://wp.usatodaysports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2014/11/adidas-celtics-parquet-pride2c-12c-smart.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not having gray either</a>.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Everyone knows that the Celtics are “Irish” and “green” and this is a good nod to the heritage without being obnoxious.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437863" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437863" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2359,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1344861645.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2359" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344861645.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344861645-768x566.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, Miami Heat. Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 5. Miami Heat</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/">Miami Heat</a> are up there with Portland, Utah, and Golden State for the best logos in the NBA. Bonus points because “Heat”, while an abstract concept, absolutely fits for Miami, and it becomes less abstract when you see the flaming basketball go through the hoop. Also, it must be pretty hot if the “T” in Heat is on fire!</p> <p>Double those bonus points because the Heat’s colors are red, white, and yellow, colors we all associate with heat. Even the black jersey gives off a charcoal vibe. The white jersey is by far the best. It looks like there are heat waves rolling off of it, and it only gets better when Duncan Robinson hits three triples in a row, or Jimmy Butler starts cooking with his midrange jumper.</p> <p>The Heat have an “MH” logo that is fairly blah, but thankfully, it’s relegated to the waistband for the white and black looks, moved to the shorts only for the red Statement Edition. When they do put “Miami” on the chest it looks great, but I would probably want it to say Heat (with the flourish on the T!) for all of them.</p> <p>Shout out for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://theundefeated.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18227_SunsetVice_Teaser_HEAT.com_1920x1080_Wade2.jpg?w=700%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">simply sublime Miami Vice jerseys</a>, too, which should somehow be kept alive forever. Bring them back! Bring them back!</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> What is on the shorts? [I pulled up a larger picture of their logo]. I always thought the Heat was a really dumb name for a basketball team [remember she is a Cavs fan from Ohio] but seeing that logo, it’s less dumb. If you’re going to have a dumb name you need a way to sell it, and that logo helps you out.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437862" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437862" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1347432983.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347432983.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347432983-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Julius Randle, New York Knicks. Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 4. New York Knicks</h2> <p>You could rank 2-5 on this list in any order that you like. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/">New York Knicks</a> deserve to be second, and they could easily fall to No. 5. Fourth feels like the right spot for a team with so much history and fame tied into their signature blue-and-orange look.</p> <p>Some opening thoughts: “Knickerbockers”, or Knicks as it is officially now, is a ridiculous name but also wholly unique to this team. Their logo is fine but nothing special. Therefore, it’s a solid move for the Knicks to avoid their team name entirely, sticking to “New York” emblazoned across their chests.</p> <p>It’s a look that has stood the test of time, hearkening back to the pair of titles the Knicks won in the 1970s with Willis Reed and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/walt-frazier-of-the-new-york-knicks-looks-on-against-the-washington-picture-id497873770?s=612x612%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Walt “Clyde” Frazier</a>. Their white jersey is the best, with orange lettering that pops and subtle blue outlines and accents.</p> <p>The blue is almost as good, again with the bold orange. Their Statement edition would be better if it wasn’t being compared to the standard pair, but the colored piping is sharp.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> This looks like a classic, run-of-the-mill jersey. Nothing to note.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437861" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437861" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350579908.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350579908.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350579908-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 3. Golden State Warriors</h2> <p>If you notice, nearly all of the entrants in the Top 10 do not feature their logo on the front of the jersey. It’s hard to do so and look classy. The teams that do it are replacing a letter in their name with the logo, i.e. the Jazz and Spurs. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/golden-state-warriors/">Golden State Warriors</a> are the exception to this rule.</p> <p>Their logo is iconic, and instantly recognizable as the Golden Gate Bridge to anyone, NBA fans or non-fans alike. Their location name is “Golden State,” but just at a glance, you know this team plays in The Bay area.</p> <p>Placing the number inside of the circle ensures there is enough space, and because the logo is the primary image on the jersey, the words encircling it works in a way that the Indiana Pacers’ look does not.</p> <p>Now for the coup de grace: the Statement Edition jersey. Check it out <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images.footballfanatics.com/golden-state-warriors/golden-state-warriors-jordan-statement-swingman-jersey-draymond-green-mens_ss4_p-12041582+u-107gmbm1i5uroodvxwcn+v-e55f4e55a3824db28295acdf3c1232f3.jpg?_hv=1&amp;w=900%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">here in all its glory</a>. The all-gold works in a way not every color does, and the shade is just dark enough not to overwhelm you. The circular logo is different, and not as recognizable, but it looks <em>cool</em> and you know where they are from with “The Bay” just above.</p> <p>Golden State also deserves a shout-out for its numerous, and excellent, alternate jerseys. From their black “<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GgZpT86hLCbRSYttd3sn3QNNOw4=/0x0:3662x2441/1400x933/filters:focal(1539x929:2123x1513):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57988217/usa_today_10438480.0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Town</a>” Oakland jerseys to a number of sweet <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://www.nba.com/warriors/sites/warriors/files/styles/mobile__700x500_/public/1_18.jpg?itok=2iP_SRgE%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chinese New Year looks</a>, this team gets it right every year.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> Well, the man I love wears this jersey all the time [I am a Warriors fan] so I’ve been subtly brainstormed into believing this is a good jersey. I do like that the logo is so recognizable – you know exactly where it is from.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437860" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437860" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350747952.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350747952.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350747952-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 2. Chicago Bulls</h2> <p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/">Chicago Bulls</a> dominated the 1990s, not just on the basketball court, but by capturing the attention of an entire world of people. Michael Jordan didn’t just play basketball, he became one of the most household names in American history. Who else other than President is as recognizable as MJ?</p> <p>Accordingly, his jersey has become <em>the</em> look of basketball excellence for an entire generation and more. The red jersey, black letters, large bold numbers: that is what winning at basketball looks like. Even when the Bulls haven’t been winning, they have known enough to keep that classic look.</p> <p>The downside is that the Bulls actually have a great logo. A Bull doesn’t have anything to do with Chicago, but it looks great and deserves some treatment somewhere in the jersey art. He barely gets onto the shorts in each of their three looks.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take:</strong> I don’t know the history of the Bulls jerseys, but that looks like what I remember Michael Jordan wearing. It seems classic. I see that and I think “greatness.”</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437859" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437859" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1196,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1351069790.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1196" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351069790.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1351069790-768x574.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <h2>Ranking all 30 NBA jerseys: 1. Los Angeles Lakers</h2> <p>And then there was one. Did you expect any other jersey to make it to the top of the list? Let’s run through the reasons why the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-lakers/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> were the clear number-one choice for a ranking of the league’s best jerseys.</p> <p>First, the colors are gorgeous. Whether you call it purple or “Forum Blue,” it’s a beautiful color and looks great contrasted with the gold. Second, it’s the jersey of stars: from Elgin Baylor to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal to LeBron James, some of the league’s greatest players have worn the purple-and-gold, a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UnAArL7Tzyw/maxresdefault.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">look that is largely untouched</a> through the years.</p> <p>Finally, it’s the championships. The Lakers haven’t just worn the same colors for 50 years, they have won while doing so. Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain won a title in purple and gold. Kareem and Magic won 5. Shaq and Kobe won three, and Kobe then got another two with Pau Gasol. LeBron and Anthony Davis won in 2020.</p> <p>Let’s hit on the jerseys themselves briefly. The three jerseys are all based on the same idea, with “Lakers” across the top in purple or gold. The iconic logo, purple stars around a gold basketball, is on the waistband.</p> <p>The shorts are banded in purple and gold, and I’m a sucker for those outlined shorts. The purple Statement jersey introduced a black band down the side, which looks great, too. There is not a thing I would change about these jerseys. They are, quite simply, the best in the league.</p> <p><strong>Wife Take: </strong>I want to hate them because they took my favorite player… but I don’t hate this jersey. It looks really good. Classic.</p> <p>There you have it. 30 NBA teams, 90 jerseys, ranked from 30 to 1. Some teams have some work to do; others know exactly what they do so well. Add to this core list a plethora of alternates, throwbacks, and new ideas, and you have plenty to choose from as you grow your personal collection and enjoy what you see on the court. The NBA: Where Amazing Happens, and you look good doing it.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Power Rankings Week 4" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/14/nba-power-rankings-week-4-2/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/17/ranking-nba-jerseys/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/14/nba-power-rankings-week-4-2/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Power Rankings Week 4 </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">